President — Ken Mills, 13004 W H-40 Hwy, Rudyard, MI 49780; phone: 906-478-6631
Vice President — Lloyd White, 2739 W M-28, Dafter, MI 49724; phone: 906-632-6071
Secretary — Jim Neitling, PO Box 171, Kinross, MI 49752; phone: 906-495-5233
Treasurer — Mark A. Spencer, N4552 Spencer Lane, Moran, MI 49760; phone: 906-292-4779; e-mail: spenfurs@lighthouse.net
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $21
• Junior (16 & under) with subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $16
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
NGLFH Secretary
Jim Neitling
PO Box 171
Kinross, MI 49752
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Here it is the month of March. The trapping season is rapidly coming to an end. I know that it was a good season for me, but not very productive. I did not get out much this year due to being down state taking care of some business. I hear that some of you have done quite well this year even though Mother Nature has not been to cooperative.
By the time you read this, we will have had our annual trapper’s dinner. I did not get to attend this year but as usual I figure everyone that attended enjoyed a good meal and had a good time all around. I also heard that there were 2 guest speakers from the DNR. I hope you guys and gals went easy on them. I know that you did because no matter who comes to the dinner they are treated with respect.
Speaking of the DNR. I got the results of their coyote cable restraint research.
1) Cable restraint construction.
(a) Used only 7×7 cable.
(b) 3.5” stop.
(c) Hole in Reichart lock ( reverse bend washer) drilled twice the diameter(3/16”) of the Cable (3/32”).
2) Trap sets
(a) All traps set in open fields with no potential of entanglement.
(b) All traps checked daily.
3) Totals as of January 31, 2011.
(a) Approximately 650 trap nights.
(b) 20 capture events with 15 coyotes successfully captured and 5 coyotes lost.
(c) Coyote loses include 2 slipped cable restraint, 2 chewed through cable, and 1 broke Breakaway.
(d) All coyotes captured were alive and active when approached.
(e) Non-targets that escaped included 1 fox, and 3 deer. One beagle was also released by its owner.
You guys can draw your conclusion from this information.
The DNR is also having a fur takers meeting on March 12th in St. Ignace at the Quality Inn from 1pm to 4pm. I know by the time you get this it will be over. I will try to get a report from the meeting out in the next letter. I just got the notice so I could not get this out sooner. This will be the last meeting until the year 2013. I hope I can get an explanation on their study from someone who attends the meeting. I will not be there even if I could be due to reasons I do not care to discuss.
The next trapper’s meeting will be on March 16th at 7pm at the Lutheran Church in Rudyard.
The last meeting, I was not able to attend and Don Miller filled in for me. I want to thank him for his time. I hope everyone had a safe and successful season this past season.
— Jim Neitling